Stills from This is Hazel: Their Experience with LGBTQ+ Discrimination. (MACKIE MALLISON,Film & Animation, Grade 12, Age 18, Grant High School, Portland, OR)

We finish our feature on the 2018 Gold Medal Portfolio recipients with a look at Mackie Mallison and Osarugue Otebele. As an artist, Mackie creates films from the perspectives of those on the fringes of mainstream society to spark conversations that lead to change. In her writing, Osarugue gives voice to those who have not yet been heard.

Next in our series spotlighting the 2018 Gold Portfolio recipients are Fletcher Johnson and Sam Wachman. Fletcher uses found objects–Popsicle sticks, old toys, hair rollers, rhinestones, and more–to create objects that challenge the viewer’s preconceived notions on gender. Sam’s writing portfolio also delves into issues surrounding gender by presenting a viewpoint on what it means to grow up as a queer young person.

Our Eyes on the Prize series continues with Julie Wang, an artist who likes to explore art’s “unpredictable potential,” and Sarena Kuhn, a writer who delves into the chance to express herself freely that comes with being an author. Through their creativity, Julie and Sarena speak through their art and writing, opening up new conversations about the world around them.

We continue our Eyes on the Prize series with artist Christopher Velez and writer Alexandra Swerdloff. In their works, both explore time. Alexandra writes about things that have happened in the past in order to better understand herself and the world, while Christopher creates miniature buildings whose facades have been eroded by time to evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Maya Dixon and Triniti Wade each received a Gold Medal for their Portfolio in the 2018 Scholastic Awards. As an artist, Maya uses her paintings to show what life is like in the Bronx for the people who live and thrive there. Triniti uses her writing to shine a light on what it means to be a young black woman in America. Through their works, Triniti and Maya are bringing their audiences to parts of the world many may have never experienced. Read More

We continue our series highlighting the 2018 Gold Medal Portfolio recipients with Emily Shonk and Kush Dhungana. Both of their works use humor and whimsy to tell a story. Emily created jewelry featuring miniature food objects while Kush wrote about the college application experience. Read More